Morphology of rhinoceros platelets

Basic hematological information about rhinoceros species is limited. In thi s study, we have determined the platelet counts and described the platelet morphology of free-living white (Ceratotherium simum) and black (Diceros bi cornis) rhinoceros using light;md electron microscopy. The platelet counts of the two species were similar, but there were significant differences in platelet size as well as morphology between the species. The presence of la rge, nondiscoid platelet forms, resembling proplatelet or stress platelet f orms, were observed in both, although not as often in the white rhinoceros as in the black rhinoceros. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.